School Shootings

What do we know about the kids who are committing these crimes? Jodi Dworkin, Ph.D., Department of Family Social Science and University of Minnesota Extension Service provides information on the behavior that potentially violent students may exhibit:

·         Difficulty recognizing others’ feelings.

·         Feeling no remorse.

·         Believing that the only solution is to take matters into their own hands.

·         No positive role models.

·         Feeling unloved at home and unaccepted at school.

·         Experienced either physical or psychological abuse, or neglect.

·         Inability to see their future.

·         Inability to recognize their own anger and redirect it so it does not lead to violent behavior.

Be aware of these additional warning signs in teens:

·         Name calling, abusive language, and threats of violence.

·         Preoccupation with weapons or violence.

·         Cruelty to animals.

·         Problems with drugs or alcohol.

·         Discipline problems at school such as truancy or expulsion

·         Few or no close friends, feeling like an outcast at school.

·         Bullied or bullies others.

·         Preference for movies, TV, music, video games, books or clothes with violent themes.

·         Expressions of anger, frustration, or violence in writings or drawings.

·         Depression or mood swings – there is a difference between feeling down one day and being depressed. It is not normal for teens to be severely depressed or extremely moody.

·         Suicide threats or attempts.

For more information:

National School Safety Center:  www.schoolsafety.us

National Crime Prevention Council:  www.ncpc.org/

Injury Center: Violence Prevention:  www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/schoolviolence/index.html